Theo Daniel Van Scheltinga vs Alexander Alekhine (1939)

Theo Daniel Van Scheltinga vs Alexander Alekhine
Buenos Aires ol-fi (02) 1939 · Queen's Gambit Accepted: Alekhine Defense (D22) · 1/2-1/2

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explore this opening	find similar games	1 more T Van Scheltinga/Alekhine game
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Oct-22-05		sneaky pete: This game is incomplete. 55.Kxf2 Ra2+ was played, after which the world champion declared the game a draw in such an authoritative manner that poor Van Scheltinga didn't dare to decline this offer.

Jul-23-07		whiteshark: After making this move Alekhine said loudly: "<draw it is!>", immediately signed the scoresheet and left the playing hall. The World Champion's presige was huge and his young opponent had nothing left to do other than accepting Alekhine's harsh proposal. In today's world Alekhine would most probably be forfeited, nevermind his title. Final position after <55. Kxf2 Ra2+> click for larger view TB draw

May-01-10		KWRegan: Are we sure Alekhine played 49...Kg7?? This allows mate in 3 by Kf6 now and later, and makes no sense coming after 48...Kf7. A sane Alekhine must have played 49...Ke8! But maybe the end-of-game comment indicates Alekhine was not compos-mentis...

May-01-10		BobCrisp: Well spotted. Alekhine did indeed play 49...Ke8.

May-01-10		BobCrisp: <After making this move Alekhine said loudly: "<draw it is!>", immediately signed the scoresheet and left the playing hall. > Where does this story come from? According to the game score given in Skinner & Verhoeven's <Alexander Alekhine's Chess Games, 1902-1946> the game ended with the indicated 54...Rxa4.

May-01-10		sneaky pete: <BobCrisp> The story and the extra move(s) come from an interview with Van Scheltinga in a book about chess in Amsterdam from 1994. In the position after 49... Ke8 50.Rxa5 f3(?) click for larger view Euwe claims white could have won with 51.Kf4 .. (winning pawn f3 while the b-pawn can be contained). It probably doesn't make any difference, but for the record: in the final position black's king is on e8.

May-01-10		Calli: I don't see Euwe's win but 52.a5 looks very strong (If Ra2 then a6) although it's still tricky. click for larger view

May-01-10		clocked: I don't see how white could achieve more than R+BvR

May-02-10		Calli: <clocked> The main line I looked at was 49. Ra7+ Ke8 50. Rxa5 f3 51. Rb5 Rb2 52. a5 f2 53. Rb8+ Ke7 54. a6 Rd2 55. a7! Rxd3 56.a8-Q f1-Q and now a series of checks appears to win 57. Qa7+ Kd6 58. Qa6+ Ke5 59. Rb5+ Ke4 60. Qxe6+ etc. Appreciate your thoughts...

May-02-10		clocked: <Calli> 52.a5 Ra2 53.a6 b2 and how is white going to promote?

May-02-10		Calli: 53.a6 b2 then 54.Bc4 Ra4 55.Rxb2 Rxc4 a7 etc

May-03-10		clocked: <Calli> ok, what is you line for 53.a6 f2

May-03-10		Calli: on 52.a5 Ra2 53.a6 f2 then simply 54.Rxb3. Maybe you meant 52...f2 but then 53.Rb8+ and 54.a6 and Black doesn't seem to have any moves. In the other line 53.a6 b2 54.Bc4 Ra5?! 55.Kf6! also wins, I think.

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Featured in the Following Game Collections [what is this?]

Finals Group A, Round 2, September 2
from 1939 - Buenos Aires Olympiad (Alekhine's Games) by TheFocus

Draw oddity
from 1939 Men Chess Olympiad by chessmoron

52.a5 looks winning.score corr. 47...Ke8 not g8
from Alekhine was sunk! by Calli